Gov. Cuomo cracks down on vaccine fraud, violators face up to $1M fine

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday announced that the state would not tolerate any fraud in the vaccination process and is signing an executive order where any health care provider could lose their license and face up to a $1,000,000 fine for intentionally disregarding the vaccine process.

According to the governor, the New York State police reviewed facts and believe there are multiple crimes that can be charged against one provider accused of COVID vaccine fraud.

"We will not tolerate any fraud in the vaccine process," Cuomo said he wants to send a clear signal that any providers who administers the vaccine outside of criteria set by NYSDOH will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

"If you violate the law, on these vaccinations we will find out an you will be prosecuted."

Cuomo said that although the "vaccine is a valuable commodity" the state will distribute vaccinations based on clinical guidance and expertise and there won't be any "politics in play".

Anyone licensed professional including a provider, doctor, nurse, or pharmasict who knowingly engages in fraud, will have their licensed revoked by the state, the governor said.

So far, 140,000 people have already received a vaccinations and about 259,000 more are expected to be administered this week to Urgent Care Center employees, those administering vaccines, residents of OASAS facilities, high-risk hospital health care workers, and EMS.

Next week, ambulatory health care workers and public-facing health workers will be eligible for vaccination.